Now 44, Paris looks back at that incident as a bitter memory, one that shaped her emotionally and professionally.

Now 44, Paris looks back at that incident as a bitter memory, one that shaped her emotionally and professionally. Jordan Strauss/Invision LAPRESSE

Paris Hilton, the internationally recognized socialite, opened up about one of the darkest chapters of her life during an emotional interview with Louis Theroux at Spotify Beach in Cannes, France, as part of the 2025 Cannes Festival.

Hilton reflected on the infamous sex tape leaked by her ex-boyfriend, Rick Salomon-a betrayal that took place when she was only 19 years old. The traumatic event left her feeling devastated and anguished, marking a turning point in her early adulthood.

Paris Hilton about her sex tape: “It was the most painful experience I’ve ever been through in my life

“It was the most painful experience I’ve ever been through in my life,” Hilton said. “To trust somebody and have them put something out in the world that no one was supposed to see… and then to have people judge me based on one night with someone I trusted… that’s something that will affect me for the rest of my life.”

Now 44, Paris looks back at that incident as a bitter memory, one that shaped her emotionally and professionally. She described the pain of being thrust into the public eye for something so intimate, just before launching The Simple Life, the reality show that would go on to define her early fame.

During the candid conversation, Hilton pointed out that today, such an incident would be considered a criminal offense in California without the consent of all parties involved.

Paris on Donald Trump: Changing Perspectives

In 2016, Hilton publicly stated that she had voted for Donald Trump, citing a long-standing acquaintance through her family. However, her stance seemed to shift in later years. In her memoir, she clarified the context: “An old family friend, but hadn’t actually voted at all.”

“I only knew him when I was a teenager in New York, that was a long time ago,” she explained, distancing herself from any political allegiance. When asked by host Louis Theroux about the “vibe” she recalled from Trump-whether it had been warm, friendly, or perhaps orange, referencing his signature tan-Hilton responded with a laugh: “He probably could have used a new spray tanner.”

“Back then, the media, the public, everyone was just so cruel to me,” she added. “It was so heartbreaking and devastating. I had worked so hard and I wanted to be respected. I was about to come out with my reality show, and then all of a sudden this happened to me.”